Surgical treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts. A review of 42 cases.

21 years' experience of operated pancreatic pseudocysts is reviewed. The number of patients was 42, with mean age of 50 +/- 5 years. Thirteen patients (31%) were alcoholic. In 6/42 cases (14%) pancreatic carcinoma was considered the reason for pseudocyst formation. In 30 patients an internal and in 11 an external drainage was created. Operative mortality occurred in 3 patients (7%). External drainage was effected in patients with complicated pseudocyst. The complication rate in this group was 6/11 (55%) and in the internal drainage group 7/30 (23%). Internal drainage is a safe and effective procedure in patients with a mature pseudocyst wall. External drainage should be used in patients critically ill or with an immature pseudocyst wall.